Join DSNMC and the National Down Syndrome Society for the Buddy Walk® on Washington

February 29th and March 1st 2012

The Buddy Walk on Washington is an annual two-day advocacy experience that brings the Down syndrome community together to advocate for public policies that impact the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. Advocates come face to face with Members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill to advance education, research and healthcare for people with Down syndrome. Attendees will participate in an interactive advocacy training, attend a celebration and advocacy awards dinner and spend a day on Capitol Hill. The experience is perfectly suited for self-advocates, family members, professionals, affiliate leaders and members and anyone else who wants to make a difference for people with Down syndrome.  CONTACT HEATHER SACHS (heather@dsnmc.org) IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER (DSNMC MAY BE ABLE TO COVER THE COST OF YOUR REGISTRATION).  Check out the following link for more information:

http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=265&Itemid=155

Registration for TFS has now been closed. There still may be space available, and those interested should email: tfs@friendsoffredco.org to check availability.

We’ve had a great response for the upcoming Techniques for Success conference but there is still space available, the deadline has been extended to Friday, October 21.  So, if you haven’t done so yet, there is still time to invite staff at your child’s school. The conference will be held on Saturday, November 5, from 8am – 5pm at the Frederick Fairgrounds.  Details are available at http://friendsoffredco.org/ and on the flyer (click here). Questions may be sent to tfs@friendsoffredco.org.

Please join DSNMC for a panel discussion focusing on the power of everyday language
to remove barriers for those with disabilities.  Click here to view flyer.

Wednesday, October 5, 20 I I
4:30-6:00 pm

The Universities at Shady Grove
9640 Gudelsky Drive
Building I – Auditorium

For more information contact:
Joann Mirgon at 30 1-738-6118 or jmirgon@umd.edu
RSVP’s encouraged but not required at USG-CiPESRSVP@umd.edu

2011 Buddy Walk
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Time: 10am – 2:30pm
Location: Miracle Field: Softball Field E adjacent to Miracle Field
17950 Germantown Park Drive
Germantown, Maryland

It’s just 3 days away from the DSNMC Annual Buddy Walk®!

If you haven’t registered, it is not too late, we will be accepting onsite registrations at the park on Sunday October 1st.

We still need more volunteers for the event — with anything from set-up/clean-up, to registration, to kids activities.

If you would be interested in volunteering, contact: Miriam@outerconsulting.com and help us make this a wonderful and special day for all!

Sept. 7th was the last chance to register with a guaranteed Buddy Walk t-shirt.

You can still register for the event online for a few more weeks, but all registrations received after this date are NOT guaranteed a t-shirt.

Thanks and keep up the good work!!

Saturday, October 1st at The Miracle Field in Germantown, Maryland (Softball Field E adjacent to Miracle Field)

For a map, please click here.

The Buddy Walk has changed locations!

This year, on October 1, the Buddy Walk will take place at Miracle Field:

Miracle Field
17950 Germantown Park Drive
Germantown, Maryland

Follow the signs to the Germantown Soccer Complex – Miracle Field is across the Street

MAP

Save the date!

Our Buddy Walk this year will be on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at

Hadley Park, Potomac, MD

Check out photos from past years’ events here!

Find out more information here!

SUMMER FAMILY PICNIC IS THIS SUNDAY!
Sunday, June 26, 2011 11:00am- 2:30 (12:30 Lunch served)
Black Hills Regional Park – picnic site: 20930 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD 20841

Lunch catered by Red Hot & Blue
Join us for fun and games for all ages!

The Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County (DSNMC) realizes the importance of year round structured activities and the critical need to continue personal growth and development during the summer.  DSNMC will continue to offer financial assistance for summer programs.  DSNMC will reimburse up to $500 per family as part of the Campership Program.   Examples include but are not limited to:  therapy related programs, summer camp, enrichment classes (e.g. cooking, art, swimming, baseball, dance).  A spirit of giving – both from our generous donors and hardworking volunteers – allow us to have this program. Our hope is that we can continue this program through the years, expand it and add others that would be meaningful to our members.  Please contact Tali Moscowitz at talimoscowitz@dsnmc.org or 301.979.1112 with any questions regarding the application or application guidelines.

Sorry, registration for TFS is now closed!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

8:00am to 4:30pm

Marriott Courtyard-Washingtonian @ Rio
9751 Washingtonian Boulevard
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Who should attend?

• General Educators
• Special Educators
• School Administrators
• Home Schooling Families
• Involved Parents

Speaker Line-up

• Dr. Brian Skotko, M.D., M.P.P., a clinical fellow in genetics at Children’s Hospital Boston, Massachusetts General Hospital, has dedicated his professional energies toward children with cognitive and development disabilities.
• Dr. Libby Kumin, Ph.D. in speech-language pathology. She has been active in teaching, research, advising, and college, professional, and community service. She has published four books, eight chapters, and numerous research articles in the area of communication skills in infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults with Down syndrome. She founded the Down Syndrome Speech and Language Center for Excellence at Loyola Columbia Center.
• Dr. Nancy Grace, Ph.D, is the Director of the Developmental Disabilities Clinic in the Dept. of Behavioral Psychology at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute and an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Grace is a Child Psychologist with special interest and training of children with developmental disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders who are experiencing behavior problems
• Carol Quirk, Director of Professional Development Services, is one of the founders of MCIE. She received her Doctor of Education Degree from the Johns Hopkins University.
• Erin Thompson. Erin “graduated” George Mason University and is on the Board of Directors of the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia. Erin worked to get rid of the “R word” in Virginia’s laws. She is also a Special Olympian, Best Buddies Ambassador, and plays the piano.
• Brad Hennefer is a young man who lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, with his family. Brad also works part-time for Aramark at CH East, as well as at Wegman’s Supermarket. Brad enjoys listening to music, watching movies, hanging out with his many friends, and playing sports. He has participated in Special Olympics basketball, golf and weight lifting, winning several gold and silver medals.

Hosted By:
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County

Download the flyer